The Globe Before 1000 ce

Spread and Domestication of Corn

                            The spread and domestication of maize is quite possibly the most important aspect of human history. Its qualities are so infused with human nature that even today it is being looked at as a new reusable energy source. It is used in thousands of products that could help make a movie more enjoyable, are incorporated and an entire cultures cuisine, and an integral part of your favorite soda pop. How exactly maize became one of the most important crops to humanity has a rich and vibrant, yet highly disputable history which starts with the small grain teosinte, maize’s oldest ancestor.

                            Although some historians, such as Paul C. Mangelsdorf, argue that the original ancestor of corn is corn, most historians agree that the breeding of prehistoric maize and teosinte is the original ancestors of modern day corn.[i] Evidence behind this is the many well preserved specimens found throughout caves within Central and North America. However, historians also believe that corn may have evolved as a hybrid of teosinte and other older specimens like gamagrass.[ii] This would support the idea that humans had an extremely powerful influence on the way corn evolved throughout time.

                            The earliest known specimens of maize suggest is supported by evidence of pollen grains found 200 feet below Mexico City, which were carbon dated at around 58000 B.C. Although cultivated corn has been found in Ecuador dating back to 4000 B.C., evidence only suggest that it was brought to Panama no earlier than 4900 B.C and Peru no earlier than 3000 B.C.[iii] However, the most important archeological sites for the history of maize are found in the North American caves of the Tehuacan valley in Mexico, San Marcos Cave, and Broken Flute Cave. All of which provide the most valuable prehistoric corn specimens. For example, San Marcos Cave is suggested to have the largest source of prehistoric corn.[iv] While in Broken Flute Cave, whole corncobs were found dating all the way back to 623 A.D.[v]

                            However even this evidence leaves historians to debate the origin of the domestication of corn. The most original theory was that the domestication of maize was spread out in various locations. Evidence also supports this claim because of the wide variety of genetic variations found throughout archeological sites. However, new evidence also supports the theory that maize domestication may well have began in one central location. This location is Mexico around 9000 years ago.[vi]

                            The significance behind corn can very easily be understated. It is by far the most important crop in North America today. It supports more than half of the world’s supply.[vii] While in prehistoric times it was unsurpassed in its sustenance and was quite possibly the most important factor in anchoring the largest and most powerful civilizations in the Americas. One historian, E. J. Kahn Jr. suggests that “if it weren’t for agriculture, the Mayans would have no culture.”[viii] The reason he even argues such a bold statement is because the Mayans as well as other Native American cultures received close to 80% of their daily diet from Maize. Even after Europe came to the Americas corn’s usefulness hypnotized all who came in contact with it. It was traded in equal weight of gold with Columbus, and looked at by early Americans as a gift from the gods.

                            The colors on the concept map are significant. Each color codes the type of information the map is giving. The center is yellow because we are talking about the spread and domestication of maize. The two darker green bubbles show where maize was mainly located before 1000 A.D. The teal bubbles are all the places where maize was found by historians or archeologists. The five blue-purple bubbles off Tehuacan Valley are the five caves where the maize was found. The eight purple bubbles off the locations where maize was found tell when the maize was found and what type was found in some cases. The two red bubbles are the two main topics discussed on the concept map. The two royal blue bubbles tell how disputed much of maize history is. The pink bubbles explain the domestication of maize. The brighter green bubbles explain all the origin theories.